Taibai Mountain

The tallest mountain in Shaanxi, Taibai is a 3,767 meter (12,359 foot) peak in the Qinling range known for being the rare place in the region where you can find snow in June. There are numerous panoramas available as you ascend the mountain, from the Bodhisattva Temple to Baxian Tower at the summit, with a couple of elevated lakes and pools to add diversity to the rocky scenery. There are also a number of cultural relics (old buildings, temples, etc.) scattered about the mountain, which is a national forest park, as well as a great variety of flora and fauna (think creatures like leopard and panda) that result from the extreme elevation change within the park.

Located over 100 km (62 miles) to the southwest of Xi'an, there is camping permitted on the mountain, as well as various accommodations on the mountain and at the town of Meixian at its base. Be sure to enjoy the natural hot springs before or after (or both) your climb.

Depending on the time of year, be prepared for cold and even snow and make sure you have about $20 USD to pay for entrance and the ropeway necessary to continue your hike. Be aware that there are also certain areas that are off-limits to foreigners, like parts of the summit and the southern slope of the mountain. Despite the red tape and the cost to even get on the mountain (not unusual in China), Taibai is worth a day trip from Xi'an for the naturalist in each of us.